For: this word indicates that verse 11 supports what Paul has just written in verse 10. Verse 11 basically repeats the thought of the preceding verse. The two verses are so similar that Contemporary English Version combines them.

While we live we are always is literally “For always we the living.” Always is in emphatic position in Greek. See comments on verses 8 (“in every way”) and 10 (“always”).

While we live: literally “we the living.” This is understood in a temporal sense by many interpreters. That is, these words indicate when they are being given up to death. But the Greek participle “living” has the definite article and more likely indicates “who” rather than “when.” Barrett understands Paul to be referring to those Christians who are alive and will be alive when Christ returns: “For we living men are continually being handed over to death.” New American Bible and New International Version are similar: “For we who live” and “For we who are alive.”

Being given up to death: who is the agent of this passive verb? Paul understands his sufferings as a part of the ministry that God has given him (Phil 1.29-30). The sense may be “God is always giving us up to death.” Another way of saying this without making the agent explicit is “we suffer the pains of death…” or “we are always being exposed to death for Jesus’ sake” (Phillips).

Be manifested: the passive verb may have to be made active, as in verse 10.

Mortal flesh is a literal translation of the Greek. Flesh here is basically a synonym of “body” in verse 10. A more natural translation in English is “mortal body” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant). The word mortal is used six times in Paul’s writings and is related to the noun for death. It bears the meaning “liable to die” and modifies the noun “body” in Rom 6.12; 8.3. In 1 Cor 15.53, 54 it is used in much the same way. It appears also in 5.4 of this letter. It may also be translated “temporary,” “[bodies] which do not last,” or “which [eventually] die.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .